Arsenal

The wonderful old rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United gets renewed on Sunday in a 4:30 PM kick-off at the Emirates stadium in North London. The first meeting between these two this season produced a thrilling 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in early December.

While this great rivalry itself has produced so many classics over the years. There are a very important three points riding on this next clash between the two. The odds on Arsenal to beat Manchester United at home on the weekend are at 7/5 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on March 8, 2019, 7:07 PM)

Arsenal v Manchester United odds*

This should be really fascinating battle between the two sides. In December’s meeting at Old Trafford, it was Arsenal who got themselves a lead twice in the fixture. Neither time that they managed to get themselves in front on the day, did they hold that lead for very long.

But the Gunners gave a good account of themselves in such a big away game. The odds-on Arsenal to beat Manchester United are at 7/5 to see them convert on home soil against the Red Devils* (betting odds taken from bet365 on March 8, 2019, 7:07 PM)

Arsenal’s rich vein of home form

Arsenal have some terrific home form going at the moment. Their current streak of eight straight league home wins has left them in a position of holding the joint second best home record in the entire division. Only Manchester City have a better home record in this season’s league than Arsenal currently have. In their current eight match winning streak Arsenal have scored at least two goals in seven of those successes. Overall this season they have averaged 2.3 goals per home game.

So they have the attacking power behind them to cause Manchester United some problems again. Arsenal have also been strong at the back as well on home soil this season. The Gunners have conceded at an average of 0.8 goals per home fixtures this season. Their overall home record in the Premier League this season stands at W12 D2 L1 and they are unbeaten in their last 14 at the Emirates. Their only loss was in the very first home game of the season which was against Manchester City.

The Gunners have played four home games this season against other big six sides. In those, they have taken wins over Chelsea and Tottenham, and they earned a point against Liverpool along with that defeat against the Citizens. So Arsenal have done pretty well on home soil in their big home games. Eight of their 12 home wins this season have been by a to goal margin. The Gunners have scored 69% of their home goals in the second half of fixtures.

Head-to-head

Manchester United are on a four-match undefeated streak of form against Arsenal across all competitions, winning three of those four. The last season’s corresponding fixture Manchester United collected a 3-1 victory at the Emirates, but Arsenal had won their two previous home games against the Red Devils, both with a clean sheet. There really hasn’t been much between them in recent meetings and in the last seven Premier league clashes Manchester United are slightly ahead with a W3 D2 L2 record over the Gunners.

Red Devils can challenge

This will, of course, be no easy challenge against Manchester United. The Red Devils are undefeated in the Premier League since December 22. They have won 10 of their last 12 played (D2). Their away form is right on point at the moment having won each of their last six. But it is worth putting into context that all but one of the six games were against sides who are currently in the bottom half of the table. The one exception of that away sequence was United’s 1-0 away win at Tottenham back in mid-January.

They do have the scoring form as well to put up a good showing in this one as they have averaged exactly 2 goals per away game this season. 73% of Manchester United away games this season have made it over 2.5 goals line. In their last six road games, the United defence has conceded just the two goals. But they will be facing a strong attack that Arsenal are currently carrying on home soil. Manchester United will be defending a one-point lead over Arsenal in the race for a top-four finish this season.

The big North London derby has taken on some extra importance for Spurs now. Their title challenge has crumbled away in the space of a week after having suffered back to back league defeats.

Arsenal meanwhile have started to put together a hot streak of form and they will arrive at Wembley on Saturday on a three-match winning streak. The odds on Arsenal To beat Tottenham are at 5/2* (betting odds taken from bet365 on February 28th, 20198 at 7:03 pm)

Tottenham v Arsenal Odds

Arsenal hit their stride

Gunner put on a fine show in midweek at the Emirates as they powered five goals past Bournemouth. That was their third win on the bounce in the top flight and they have taken a win in five of their last six played. The only blip on that sequence of form was a loss out at Manchester City.

The goals are flowing from the Gunners and they have scored at least two goals six of their last eight top-flight games. Each of their last seven league wins have seen Arsenal score at least two goals in. They have been a bit flaky on their travels though, but they collected a 2-1 win at Huddersfield in their last away game in the top flight. That snapped a run of just one point in their five previous games.

Arsenal’s away form

So maybe they have broken out of those away day slumps. It has been their defence which has let them down on their travels because their scoring has been just fine. They average just under two goals per away game this season and 85% of all their road games have gone over 2.5 goals. So while they have their frailties at the back, what has to come into play is their attacking power.

Their confident attacking display tore Spurs apart when the two met in the first North London derby this season. More of the same against a Tottenham side who have had their confidence rocked could see the Gunners drive home an advantage again over their rivals. The odds on Arsenal to beat Tottenham & both teams to score is at 5/1 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on February 28th, 20198 at 7:03 pm). The one doubt over Arsenal is that they have not won an away game against any side currently in the top ten in the league.

Have Tottenham cracked?

Their chance at the title was always slim with Liverpool and Manchester City going strongly, but Spurs had done so well to keep themselves in touch. That was until the last week of action. Last weekend Spurs paid a visit to Burnley and suffered a shock 2-1 defeat, which boss Mauricio Pochettino getting all fired up. That snapped a good four-match winning streak that they were in the league. But it seems as if it was a game which broke their momentum.

They went to Stamford Bridge in midweek and Spurs lost 2-0 against Chelsea in a really tame display. They never looked a threat at all in the game and couldn’t produce anything up front. The return of Harry Kane hasn’t quite worked out. Since he came back from injury that is back to back league defeats for them.

Their ability to perform against the better sides has been called into question as well. They have played three of the current top five at home this season and have lost each of those (Liverpool, Man City and Man Utd) plus they lost 4-2 at Arsenal earlier this season.

Prediction

Neither of these really have done much against the other top sides in the division. But this is as good of a time as any for Arsenal to be catching Spurs. Tottenham looked tired and well out of touch at Stamford Bridge in midweek. Spurs will also have one eye on their Champions League game on Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund. The odds on Arsenal to beat Tottenham at 5/2 are not without appeal* (betting odds taken from bet365 on February 28th, 20198 at 7:03 pm).

Manchester City dropped some big points out on the road at Newcastle in midweek. They went to St James’ Park as favourites to collect the win over the Mpagies and they looked to be well on course to do just that as they scored within the first minute. But then defensive errors in the second half of the game saw it all fall apart for the Citizens.

They now have to lift themselves for the visit of Arsenal on Sunday. The odds on Manchester City to beat Arsenal by a two-goal margin in the game is at 10/3* (betting odds taken from bet365 on January 31st, 2019 at 5:10 pm).

Manchester City v Arsenal Winner Odds*

Manchester City 2/7
Draw 5/1
Arsenal 15/2
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on January 31st, 2019 at 5:10 pm).

The Citizens need to pick up some points back at home soil on the weekend in this big showdown. Manchester City suffered a shock away loss at Newcastle on Tuesday night which handed further advantage to Liverpool in the race for the title. However, the Reds themselves failed to win their game the following day, only managing a draw against Leicester, which means that City are facing a five-point deficit and not the seven it could have been.

So that was a bit of a let off for the Citizens but they will know that they can ill afford any more slip-ups. The odds on Manchester City to beat Arsenal are at 2/7 for Sunday’s game* (betting odds taken from bet365 on January 31st, 2019 at 5:10 pm). Boss Pep Guardiola obviously is not going to be a happy camper at the moment and you can only imagine that he has been working tirelessly across the course of the week to get his players back focused and fired up to go out and thump Arsenal.

City fired up

Manchester City need to get a bit of fire in their belly in order to stand up for themselves in this tough game. They are facing a side who carry a good attacking threat because Arsenal have averaged two goals per game on their top-flight travels this season. Manchester City have though do have a fantastic home record this season having posted a W11 L1 record in their twelve fixtures so far. Crystal Palace were the ones who pulled off the shock win at the Etihad just back in December.

Otherwise, they generally look unstoppable and Manchester City have produced themselves at least two goals in every home game played this term. The Citizens have won their last two home games, one of them that massively important duel against leaders Liverpool. They rarely fail to make a huge impression going forward really, but they just had one of those off nights against Newcastle where they lacked a little cutting edge. Back at home against a relatively flimsy Arsenal defence, you would expect them to be a little more productive.

City’s stats

So it has been a home win for the Citizens in all but one home game. 58% of their home games have ended up going over 3.5 goals. There have been defensive mistakes from them and they have conceded at under a goal per game on average. They have averaged 3.3 goals per home game this season. Guardiola’s troops have had their struggles at the back as they have only managed the two clean sheets in their last eleven fixtures (home and away combined). So that really has been their Achilles heel a bit.

Manchester City have been leading at the half time break in nine of their twelve home games this season as well (D2 L1). Each of their last eight Premier League fixtures at the Etihad have ended over 2.5 goals. Manchester City have not conceded a goal in either the first fifteen minutes of the final fifteen minutes of a home match this season in the top flight. They do have the best home record of all teams this season in the Premier League and they are also the top scorers. Liverpool are the only side to have produced a better defensive record.

Arsenal form questionable

The Gunners have had a great season on home soil in the Premier League, that cannot be argued at all. But they have been really shaky on their travels. Arsenal have failed to take a win in any of their last six league games away from the Emirates in the EPL, losing three of their last four (D1). Overall this season Arsenal have managed to win just four road games (D3 L4) and they have taken just one point from their three away games played against sides currently in the top six with them.

Arsenal have conceded exactly two goals per game on average away from home this season and they have not managed a single clean sheet on their travels. 82% of the away games that Arsenal have been involved in this season have ended up over 2.5 goals. Both teams have scored in 91% of their road fixtures. The Gunners have not been leading at the half time break in any away game this season.

It really isn’t about their goal output as they can challenge on that front. It is the frailties of their defence which may end up seeing them suffer another league defeat against City this season. On the opening weekend of this season’s campaign, Arsenal lost 2-0 at home games City.

Prediction

Manchester City have won their last four games against Arsenal in all competitions, conceding just the one goal in that sequence. But their defence is far from watertight at the moment, so the odds on Man City to beat Arsenal & both teams to score is at 13/10* (betting odds taken from bet365 on January 31st, 2019 at 5:10 pm). Each of Man City’s last four victories over the Gunners have been by a margin of at least two goals.

The top game in the Premier League on the weekend comes from the Emirates Stadium in North London with Arsenal playing host to London rivals Chelsea. This is a game of high importance, perhaps more so for Arsenal than Chelsea.

The Gunners start the game in fifth place, six points behind Chelsea who are occupying fourth place. Arsenal can ill afford to lose more ground in the race for a top-four finish and Champions League football next season.

Arsenal v Chelsea Odds*

Arsenal’s recent wobbles

It is Chelsea who are kicking off the game as favourites for the fixture. The odds-on Chelsea to beat Arsenal are 13/10 and that is a reflection of the wobbles in form that Arsenal have been having recently. Arsenal had that massive 14 match undefeated streak of form earlier in the season, including a seven-match winning streak.

It has all been a bit hit and miss for them recently though as they have won just two of their last six Premier League fixtures (D1 L3). Earlier in the season Arsenal suffered a 3-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. While Arsenal’s home form has at least stayed intact through their current slump of form, they have failed to earn a clean sheet in any of their last six Premier League outings.

Blues carry strong stats

Chelsea are the ones who have been carrying the better form recently. They have won five of their last seven Premier League fixtures. Chelsea are also on a three-match winning streak away from home and while that has been earned against sides currently outside of the top six, the Blues still have shown a bit of grit and winning steel. The Blues will know that they are up against a good scoring home side but Chelsea have been on-point in defence.

The Blues have earned a clean sheet in 50% of their away games this season, and have conceded at under a goal per game on average. Chelsea are currently on a seven-match scoring streak on their travels in the top flight. Going into the game Chelsea have also have only found themselves trailing at the halftime break once on their travels this season.

Chelsea have opened the scoring in eight of their 10 away fixtures in the English top flight this season which is another superb stat. Granted while they are carrying a bit of form with them, including a four-match undefeated streak at the moment, their performances haven’t been full on thrilling displays of power. They have stuttered at times and largely that is because of them not having a genuine out and out striker who is in any kind of form.

Getting it done

But they have been getting the job done at the of the day. They are perhaps the more organised of the two sides, and the balance could be tipped in the midfield area where the Blues look to have a competitive edge. With the brilliance of Eden Hazard in their ranks, they will of course always have a chance at pulling something out. But will that translate into a huge three points of them which would open a massive gap over the Gunners?

The odds on Chelsea to beat Arsenal at 13/10 will have a lot of appeal for punters on the away side* (betting odds taken from bet365 on January 17th, 2019 at 6:14 pm). It’s no easy game of course but the Blues have an away scoring streak going and they are facing an Arsenal side who have looked less and less assured of themselves at the back.

This is a huge clash at Anfield on Saturday evening. Liverpool have managed to power their way to a six-point lead at the top of the table over Christmas. Now the task is to maintain their advantage. This is a tough game for them as they welcome the Gunners to Anfield. Arsenal are pushing for a top-four spot and could have the attacking threat to rattle the Reds.

Liverpool v Arsenal odds*

Liverpool 1/2
Draw 7/2
Arsenal 19/4
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 29th, 2018 at 6:35 p.m.)

The Reds Take Charge

What a season it has been for Liverpool. They collected a 4-0 home win over Newcastle on Boxing Day and that moved them on to an eight-match winning streak in the Premier League. They are showing no sign of slowing up at all. With the form of Manchester City falling away through December, Liverpool now hold a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League heading into the final weekend of 2018.

But it’s a lead not over the reigning champions Man City, it is over Spurs. So will the Reds be able to continue their positive momentum as they play host to Arsenal on Saturday evening? The Reds earned a point from a 1-1 draw when they took a trip to North London to face Arsenal earlier this season. They have fantastic home from going against the Gunners though.

Home Form Advantage

Liverpool have remained undefeated in their last five home games against Arsenal now, winning four of those. They have scored at least two goals in each of those five games in that sequence. In total Liverpool have come up with seventeen goals in their last five Premier League home fixtures against Arsenal. With the Reds averaging almost 2.5 goals per home this season in the top flight, will that be too much for Arsenal to handle?

It may not even be so much about stacking up the two powerful attacks against each other. There is a clear difference in the defensive strength of Liverpool over that of Arsenal. Liverpool have conceded just two home goals this season in the EPL having taken a clean sheet in 78% of fixtures at Anfield. Arsenal meanwhile are still looking for their first away clean sheet this season in the top flight. There should be chances for the Reds.

It’s not as if Arsenal are a bad side. But their form on the road just isn’t there lately. They have failed to win any of their last three on the road (D2 L1) after playing out a draw at Brighton on Boxing Day. They have the goals in them without question, having scored at least two goals in every road fixture. But their defence has remained vulnerable and that could be the advantage that Liverpool needs.

Prediction

Liverpool have the edge at the moment. They are confident, they have tremendous momentum behind them and they are on home soil. Arsenal have the scoring power to threaten the defence of the Reds, but of the two defences, Liverpool’s is clearly superior. That could be very telling and Liverpool are strong enough to expose Arsenal’s weaknesses at the back. The Odds on Liverpool to beat Arsenal are 1/2* (betting odds taken on December 29th, 2018 at 2:49 pm) and that looks a strong proposition.

The first North London derby of the season will light up Sunday when the two old rivals meet at the Emirates. This derby encounter between Arsenal and Spurs brings about two sides carrying some great form with them at the moment. The Gunners have strung together a long unbeaten streak of form in the top flight and have every reason to be full of confidence.

But Spurs meanwhile will show up carrying the best away form of all sides in the top flight this term. The odds on Arsenal to beat Tottenham are 6/4* (Betting Odds were taken on November 28th, 2018 at 6:40 p.m.). Can the Gunners be the first to inflict and away loss on the Lilywhites?

Arsenal v Tottenham betting odds*

Arsenal 6/4
Tottenham 17/10
Draw 12/5
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on November 28th, 2018 at 6:40 p.m.)
The North London derby is always a great feature of the Premier League calendar and this meeting on the weekend could see Arsenal land a big statement. The Gunners go into the game three points behind Spurs, so a win would be quite significant for Arsenal. It would also be the culmination and big reward of a great run of form from them which has seen them go unbeaten in their last eleven league outings.

The other significant marker would be Arsenal would become only the second team this season to inflict an away defeat on Tottenham. So there is plenty of incentive for Unai Emery’s men to come out and push the boat in this one. They are W4 D2 L1 at home this season and recently held out for a 1-1 tie against Liverpool after putting in a fantastic second-half performance in the game. Arsenal would also be aiming to bake it back to back league home wins over their rivals.

Last season’s success

Arsenal collected a 2-0 home win over Spurs last season and they are unwanted in their last seven Premier League home games in the North London derby. So the odds on Arsenal to beat Tottenham at 6/4* (Betting Odds were taken from November 28th, 2018 at 6:40 p.m.) aren’t a bad proposition at all. Arsenal have put together a six-match scoring streak at home in the league and they have scored in each of their last twelve home and away combined.

Manchester City are the only side in the league to have scored more goals than Arsenal this season and with the scoring threats of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette then they are certainly capable of causing problems. It hasn’t all been about the attacking strengths that Arsenal have been developing under their new manager, they have conceded at an average of less than a goal per game at the Emirates as well. Interestingly despite their good form, they have yet to be leading at halftime in a home game.

Spurs trip up away

Spurs were in good form away from home last season and they still went to the home of their rivals and suffered a defeat. The Lilywhites are W7 L1 in eight-way games this season and that is nothing to be sneezed at by any stretch of the imagination. Their one lone defeat happened out at Watford. But the interesting thing overall about their away from this season is that this will be their first test against anyone currently sat inside the top six. From their three home games against current top four sides, they are only W1 L2 this season.

So there are vulnerabilities there for them despite their massive haul of wins away from home this season. They are taking a four-match winning streak into the game as well (home and away combined) but each of their last four wins have been against sides currently in the bottom half of the Premier League table. So there is no evidence of just how well Tottenham are going to handle themselves in these big away games. Last season Spurs won just one of their away games against the other top six (at Chelsea)